The government has put the wheels in motion for a £120 million “Festival of Brexit” prompting a backlash from the public.
Cost and political topic are thought to be the overriding concerns for the festival.
Ten projects were given the go ahead yesterday (Tuesday), including Newsubstance, a Leeds based company.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has promised a £120million spend for “ten showstopper projects that will wow audiences in towns and cities right across the country, and show off the UK and its creative genius to the world.”
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Newsubstance are said to be working on a “physical manifestation and celebration of the British weather and UK coastline” with “a large-scale installation that addresses global questions, encourages playfulness, elicits joy and presents an experiment in change.”
Further exact details of what the festival will be are yet to be confirmed.
The festival was first suggested by Theresa May’s government, to take place following the UK’s departure from the European Union.
The organisers are now keen to downplay any political aspect, leaving the festival currently titled “Festival UK 2022” and are said to be aiming to instead celebrate the UK’s creativity with the aim of fostering unity among the public.
But members of the public are seemingly outraged at the amount being put into the event.
With Brexit an already divisive issue, and the impact of coronavirus impacting the economy, many are unsure of how “unifying” the event will actually be, especially given the high price tag.
Others have suggested that the money should instead be given to the NHS and other elements of the public sector that have been struggling through the pandemic.
Further details such as exact dates and locations are yet to be announced as the UK's live performance and creative industry are still very much in a state of uncertainty due to the pandemic.
